ON TARIO PUBL IC SERVICE EMPLO YEES UNION, LOCA L 462

Transcription

1 B E T W E E N : I N TH E MATTER O F AN AR B ITRAT I ON AN D I N TH E MATTER OF TH E G R I EVANC E O F SAL LY KANE KINGS TON REGIONA L AMBULANCE SER VICF t h e " E M P LOY E R " - a n d ON TARIO PUBL IC SERVICE EMPLO YEES UNION, LOCA L 462 SO L E A R B I T RATO R : t h e " U N I O N " R i c h a rd L. Ve r i ty, Q. C. FO R T H E E M P LOY E R : S c o t t D. Mac l n n e s Les l i e Fo re ma n l a n Watso n Ma n a g e r, E m p l oye e R e l a t i o n s, H ote l D i e u H os p i ta l D i re c to r, H uma n Re so u rce s, Hot e l D ie u H os p i ta l A c t i n g D i re c to r, K i n g s to n R e g i o n a l A m b u l a n c e S e r v i c e FO R TH E U N I O N : K r i s t i n A. E l iot S a l ly Ka n e S te ve G ra h a m Sol i c i to r G r i e vo r P re s i de n t, Loc a l 462 H E A R I N G S : D e c embe r 1, J a n u a ry 9, M a rc h 5, A p r i l 2 0, K i n g s to n, O n ta r io

2 -2 A W A R D I n a g r i eva n c e, date d J u l y 5, , S a l l y K a n e a l l e g e s t h a t s h e wa s w ro n g f u l l y d i sm i s se d f rom h e r emp lo ym e n t a s a re gu la r pa rt - t im e pa ramed i c 1 w i t h K i n gs to n Re g io na l Am b u lan ce Se rv i ce a t Ho te l D i e u H o sp i ta l. T h e g r ieva nce c la i m s t ha t t h e emp lo ye r v io la ted t he " no d i sc ri m i na t io n " p rov i s io n w h i c h i n co rpo rate s t he O n ta r io H u ma n R i g hts Cod e i n to t he co l l e ct i ve ag reeme n t. T he g r ievo r s e e ks re i n s ta t e me n t w i t h f u l l re med ia l re d re s s. T h e g ri eva nc e p roce ede d by way of con s e n s u a l a rbi t rati o n. At th e o u ts et, t h e e m p l o ye r ra i se d a p re l i m i n a ry o bj e c t i o n t h at I wa s w i t ho u t j u r i s d i c t i o n t o h e a r t h e me r i ts o f t h e g r i eva n c e be c a u s e t h e g r ievo r wa s a p ro b a t i o n ary e m p l oy e e a n d t h e c o l l e c t ive a g re e m e n t s p e c i f i e s t h a t a p ro bat i o n e r h a s no a c c e s s to t h e g r i e va n ce o r a rb i t ra t i o n p rov i s ion s o f t he ag reem e nt. T he em p loye r co n te nd s t ha t t h e g r ie vo r wa s te rm i na ted d u r i ng h e r p ro bati o n a ry p e r iod fo r i n a b i l i ty to p e rfo rm t h e j o b i n a s at i s f a cto ry m a n n e r. The u n io n a r g u e s t ha t t h e g r i evo r wa s a se n io r i ty- ra t e d e mp loye e a t t he t i me o f d i s c ha rg e a n d t h a t t h e m atte r m u s t p ro c e e d to a h e a r i n g o n t h e m e r i ts. C o u n s e l fo r t h e u n i o n m a i n ta i n s t h a t a t t h e t i m e o f t h e te rm i n a t i o n o f h e r employ m e n t, t h e g r i e v o r h a d com p le ted t he 480 ho u r p roba t io nary p e r iod s t ip u late d i n w r i t i ng i n he r i nd u c t io n re co rd, d a te d De ce m b e r 8, 1 999, a nd t ha t t h e e m p loye r i s t he re fo r e e s top p ed f rom re l y i ng U l O n

3 - 3 t he 600 ho u r p robat iona ry p e r iod a g reed upon by t he pa rt ie s d u r i n g n egot iat io ns i n J u n e of I n t h e a l te rnati ve, t h e u n i o n a rg u e s t h a t i f t he g r i e vo r i s fo u n d to b e a p ro b a t i o na ry e mp lo ye e, t h e a l l ega t io n of d i sc r im i na t io n aga i n s t t he emp loye r - i n t h i s ca s e d i sc r im i na t io n on t h e bas i s of sex - tog e t h e r w i t h a l l e g e d a r b i t ra ry a n d b a d fa i t h co n d u c t by t h e e m p l oy e r w a r ra n ts a h ea r i n g o n t h e me r i ts. T h e re l e va n t co l l e ct ive ag re e m e n t i s fo r t h e p e r iod Ja n ua ry 1, to D e cembe r 3 1, T h e re n ewa l o f t h a t a g re e m e n t i s c u r re n t l y t h e s u bj e c t o f a n i n te re s t a r b i t ra t i o n. Re fe re n c e was made to t he fo l low i ng p rov i s io n s : A R T I C L E 2 - R E LATI O N S H I P N o D i s c r im i n a t i o n Each o f the pa rt i es he re to ag re e th at the re w i l l be no d isc rim i n at ion, inte rfe re nce, rest ra i n t, o r co e rc i o n e x e rc i s e d o r p rac t i c e d u p o n a ny em p l oye e s b e c a u s e o f m e m b e rs h i p o r n o n -me m b e rs h i p i n t h e U n i o n, o r b e c a u s e o f act i v i ty o r l a c k o f act i v ity i n t h e U n i o n. B o t h p a rt i e s ag re e t o a b i d e by t h e p rovi s i o ns of th e O n t a ri o H u m a n R i g h t s C o d e. A RT I C L E 5 - U N I O N R E P R E S E NTAT I O N A rep re s en tat ive of t he Loca l s h a l l be g ran te d f i fte en ( 1 5 ) m i n u te s d u r i ng th e o rie n tat i o n pe r i od to the K i ng s to n R e g iona l Amb u lan ce S e rv i ce an d th e Q u i n t e T h o u s a n d i s l a n d s C e n t ra l Amb u l a n ce C o m m u n i ca t i o n s C e n t re, to m e e t w i t h n ew e m p l oye e s.

4 - 4 A R T IC L E 6 - G R I EVAN C E P RO C E D U R E A g r i eva n ce u n d e r t h i s a g re e m e n t s h a l l b e d e f i n e d as a d i f e re n c e o r d i s p u t e co n ce rn ing t h e inte rp retat ion, applicati on, adm in ist ratio n, or alle ged vi ol ation of th is agreement, provided it is received by the Employer as a grievance in writing within te n ( 1 0 ) d a ys o f t h e a l l e g e d c i rc u m s t a n c e s w h i c h g ave r i s e t h e re to, u n l e s s fo r reason s b eyon d the con t ro l of th e g rievo r he o r she d id not b e com e awa re o f t h e alleged circumstances. The onus is on the gdevor to substantiate his reasons for n ot be comi n g awa re o f t h e a l l e g e d c i rc u m s t a n ce s. It is the mutual desire of the parties that complaints and grievances will be adjusted as q u i c k l y as p os s i b l e. A n em p l oye e wh o co n s i d e rs h e ha s a c om p l a i n t o r grievance shall follow the Grievance procedure as follows : H e s h a l l f i rs t d i s c u s s t h e m a t te r w i t h h is i mmed i a te s u p e rv i s o r. Fa i l i n g s e t t l e m e n t at th i s stage, th e e m p loye e may p roce e d to "Ste p 1 " S te p 1 The e mp loye e m ay, w i t h in th e t i me l i m i t estab l is h ed i n , p rese n t h is g r ieva nce i n w r i t i n g to h i s s u p e rv i s o r w h o s h a l l re p ly w i t h i n s e ve n (7) d ays s te p 2 Fa i l i n g s e t t l e m e n t b e i n g re ac h e d a t S t e p 1, t h e em p l oye e m ay, w i t h i n s e ve n ( 7 ) d ays fo l l ow i n g re ce i p t o f t h e d e c i s i o n a t S te p 1, t ra n sm i t t h e g r i e va n ce i n w r i t i n g to th e Man age r o r des ig nate. A me e t in g wi l l be a rra ng ed w i t h i n s even (7) days a fte r rece ipt by t h e M an age r o r des ig na te, to d i scuss the g ri eva n ce. Th e dec is ion at th is Ste p s h a l l be re nde red In w rit ing wi t h in seve n (7) days fo l lowi n g th e m ee t i ng. At any stage of the G rieva nce P roce du re th e t im e l im i ts m ay be exte n de d i n w r i t i n g by m u tua l ag reeme n t o f the pa rt ies. Whe n a g ro u p of em p loyees have a g ri evan ce i t s h a l l f i rst b e t a ke n u p u n d e r S te p 2 a n d p re s e n te d i n w r i t i n g It Is u nd e rstood that the E mp loye r may b ri n g fo rwa rd at any m ee t i n g h e ld wi t h th e U n io n Com m ittee any complai nt wi th res pe ct to t h e con duct of any e mpl oye e of t h e b a rg a i n i n g u n i t a n d t h a t i f s u c h co m p l a i n t i s n o t s e t t l e d to t h e m u t u a l s a t i s fact i o n of the con fe rr i ng pa rt ie s, i t may be t reate d as a g rieva nce an d re fe r re d d i re ct ly to a rb it rat io n in t he same way as a g rievance of a n emp loye e. A n y e m p l oye e o f t h e ba rg a i n i n g u n i t m ay b e ac c om p a n i e d by u p to two m e m b e rs o f t h e U n i o n C o m m i t te e d u r i n g a n y s t e p o f t h e G r i e va n c e P ro c e d u re. A c l a im by a n e m p l oye e cove re d by t h i s ag re e m e n t, w h o h as comp l e te d t h e p ro bat i o n a ry p e r i o d, t h a t h e o r s h e h a s b e e n u n j u s t l y d i s c h a rg e d s h a l l b e t re a t e d as a g rieva n ce i f a wri tten s tate m en t o f such g r ieva nce is lodged by t h e e m p l oyee w i t h t h e s u p e rv i s o r o r h i s d e s i g n a t e w i t h i n te n ( 1 0 ) wo r k i n g days a f t e r t h e e m p l oye e ceases to wo rk fo r t h e E mp loye r. S uch g ri evan ce w i l t b e ta ke n u p i n acco rd an ce w i th t h e p rov i s i on s o f S tep 2 o f th e G rievan ce P roce d u re.

5 -5 A R T IC L E 8 - AR B I T RATI O N Fa i l i ng se tt l em e n t u n de r the G rievan ce P rocedu re of a ny d i ffe re nce be tween the p a rt i e s a r i s i n g f rom t h e i n t e rp re t at i o n, a p p l i c at i o n, a dm i n i s t rat i o n o r a l l e g e d v i o l a t i o n o f t h i s a g re e m e n t, i n c l u d i n g a n y q u e s t i o n as t o wh e t h e r a m a t t e r i s a rb i t rab le, e i the r pa rty m ay, wi th i n th i rty (30 ) days fo l low i n g the rep ly in th e f i n a l s te p of t h e G rievance P roce d u re s u b m i t s uch g rieva nce to a rb i t ra t io n as se t out in t h e re leva n t se ct ion s of the Labou r Re l at ions Act, Onta r io, as am e n de d. A R T I C L E 9 - P R O B ATI O NA R Y P E R I O D A fu l l - t i me e m p loye e s h a l l be a p robat ione r u n t i l h av ing wo rked a tota l o f fou r h un d red an d e ighty (480) ho u rs o r hav i n g comp l eted th re e ( 3) m on t h s o f e mp loyme n t, wh i cheve r co me s f i rst. A part - t ime e m p loye e sha l l b e p ro bat io n e r un t i l havi ng wo rked a tota l of s ix h u nd red (600 ) hou rs o r h av i n g co mp le te d n i n e (9) mon ths of e mp loym e n t, wh icheve r com es f i rs t. A p roba t ione r sha l l enj oy a l l of the rig h ts an d p r iv i leges p resc ri bed i n th is ag ree m en t exce p t that h e s h a l l not have access to the g r i evance o r a rb i t ra t ion p rov is ion s o f th e ag reem e n t i n th e even t t h at h e i s d i s c h a rg e d o r d i s c i p l i n e d. Th e pa rt ies ag r ee t ha t u n t i l J u ne 1 999, a rt i c le 9 o f t he co l l e c t ive a g reeme n t, e n t i t l ed " P robat io na ry Pe riod ", r ead a s fo l lows : ARTI C L E 9 - P RO B AT I O NA RY P E R I O D A f u l l - t i m e e m p l oye e s h a l l b e a p ro bat i o n e r u n t i l h av i n g wo rke d a tot a l o f fo u r hu n d red and e i g hty (480) hou rs o r hav i n g comp leted th re e ( 3 ) m on th s o f e m p l oym e n t, w h i c h eve r come s f i rs t. A p a rt - t ime e m p l oye e s h a l l b e a p ro b a t i o n e r u n t i l h av in g wo rke d a tota l of fou r h u nd red an d e ig hty (48 0 ) h o u rs o r hav i ng comp leted n i n e ( 9 ) mon ths of e mp loyme n t, wh icheve r comes f i rs t. A p robat io n e r sh a l l enjoy a l l of t h e r igh ts a n d p r iv i le ges p resc r i be d i n t h is ag re e m en t excep t that h e s ha l l not h ave acces s to the g rievance o r a rb i t rat ion p rov i s ions o f th e ag re e me n t i n th e eve n t that h e is d i sch a rg e d o r d i s c i p l i ned. O n J u n e 2 9, t h e p a r t i e s a g re e d to i n c r e a s e t h e p ro b a t i o n ary p e r i od fo r p a rt t ime e mp loyee s from 480 to 600 ho u rs. I n t h e i n s ta n t g r i eva n ce, t he u n io n ma i n ta i n s t ha t t he do c t r i n e o f e s top pe l i s ap p l i cab le ; na m e l y, a w r i t t e n re p re se n ta t io n by t he emp lo ye r a s to t h e l e n g t h o f t h e p roba t io n a ry p e r i od, w h i c h wa s com m u n i ca t ed to t h e g r i e vo r a nd w h i c h

6 - 6 t h e g r i e ve r re l i e d u pon to h e r d e t r i me n t. Acc o rd i n g l y, a fa c t u a l rev i ew o f e v e n ts i s i m p o rta n t. K i ng s to n Re g io na l Am b u la n ce S e rv i c e i s t h e so le p ro v id e r of am b u la n ce s e rv i ce s fo r t h e K i n g s to n a re a a n d i t i s o n e of t h re e a m b u la n c e s e rv i ces o p e rat i n g i n F ro n te n a c Co u n ty. T he g de vo r comme n c ed wo r k a t Ho t e l D ie u o n D e c e mb e r 8, fo l low i n g a two yea r co u rse a t Lo ya l i st Co l le ge a nd t h e s u c ce s s f u l comp le t io n o f a n Em e rg e n cy Med i ca l Ca re A s s i s ta n ce ( EMCA) co u rs e. S he pas s ed t he req u i red "s tat i c l i ft tes t" of 1 70 po u nd s a nd o n De c e mbe r 8 s he a tt e nded a n o r ie n tat io n se s s io n g i ve n by K i ng s to n R e g io na l Amb u lan ce S e rv i ce A s s i s ta n t Ma na ge r B e r n ie Jo h n so n a nd s he comp l e ted t he e mp lo yee i nd u ct ion re co rd w i t h t he a s s i sta n c e o f Ho sp i ta l H u ma n R e so u rce s re p re se n ta t ive Ja ne t Ma rt i n. T h e e mp loyee i nd u ct io n re co rd ( E x h ib i t 4 ), w h i ch t h e g ri e ve r s ig n ed, se t s o u t "T he Co nd i t io n s And Be ne f i ts O f Emp l oym e nt W i t h T he Ho sp i ta l. " T he g r i eve r was g ive n a copy o f t he e m p loye r ' s po l ic ie s a nd p ro c e d u re s w h i c h a ppa re n t l y co n ta i n ed no re fe re n c e to t he p ro ba t io n a ry p e r i od. T h e g r i e ve r wa s no t g i ve n a copy of t h e co l l e c t i ve ag reem e nt a nd no u n io n r ep re s e nta t ive was p r e se n t d u r i n g t h e o r ie n ta t io n ses s io n. T he i nd u c t io n re co rd s p e c i f i ed, amo ng ot he r i t e m s, t he g r i e ve r ' s s tat u s a s a reg u la r pa rt - t i me e mp lo ye e, t he ra te of pay, t he s h i ft ho u r s a nd a p roba t io nary pe r iod o f 480 ho u rs. T h e g r i eve r t e s t i f i ed t ha t, a ft e r s he r ev i ewed a nd s i g n ed t h e i nd u c t io n re co rd, s h e no t ed t h e l e n gt h o f t h e p ro ba t io n a ry pe r iod, a n d t ha t d u r i n g t h e co u rs e of he r e mp lo ym e n t no o n e to ld h e r t ha t t h e p ro b a t i o nary h o u r s w e r e o t h e r t h a n 480 h o u rs. S h e s ta t ed t ha t s h e wa s f i r s t ad v i s ed by U n io n R e p r e s e n ta t i ve

7 - 7 S teve G ra h am, a f te r s h e wa s te rm i n a te d o n J u n e 2 6, , t h a t t h e c o l l e c t i ve a g re e m e n t p rov id e d fo r a p robat iona ry p e r iod o f 600 ho u rs. S h e a c k now l ed g ed, how eve r, t ha t d u r i ng t he o r ie n ta t io n se ss io n o n D e c e m b e r 8, A s s i s ta n t Ma nag e r Be r n ie Jo h nso n s ta ted t h a t a n e m p loye e co u l d be te rm i nate d d u r i n g t h e p ro b a t i o n a ry p e r i o d at t h e d i s c re t i o n of t he e mp lo ye r. A c co rd i n g to t h e n Lo ca l U n io n P re s id e n t Ma r k S c hj e r n i ng, t h e u n io n wa s no t g i ve n not i c e o f t h e o r i e n ta t io n s e s s io n o n D e ce m b e r 8, w h i c h wa s a v io la t io n o f a rt i c le of t h e c o l le c t i ve ag re e m e n t. Th e e v ide n ce esta b l i s h e d t h a t t h e employe r wa s s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e g r i e vo r ' s pa ram ed i c s k i l l s w i t h one notab le except io n - s he had d i ff i c u l ty w i t h t he two p e rso n "s ta i r c ha i r" l i ft. la n Wa tso n, t he n o p e ra t io n s ma nag e r a t K i n g s to n R eg io na l Amb u la nc e S e rv i ce, s po ke to t h e g r i evo r at so m e p o i n t i n M a rc h afte r o b s e rv i n g h e r p e rfo rm i n g l ift i n g d u t i e s and made s ug ge s t io n s fo r imp rove m e n t i nc l ud i n g a c ce ss to lo ca l gym na s i u m s. O n May 5, M r. Wats o n a dvised h e r t h a t t h e e m p l oye r h ad c o n ce r n s a b o u t h e r l i f t i n g a b i l i ty an d t hat he (Wa tso n ) had re ce iv ed a n u mb e r o f w r i tt e n comp la i n t s f rom s ta ff rega rd i ng h e r l ift i ng ab i l i ty. T he g r ievo r a c k now l edg ed t h a t i t wa s made c l ea r to he r t hat s he had to i mp rove h e r l ift i ng q ua l i f i cat io n s. O n May 23, 2000 M r. Wa tso n com p le t ed a pe rfo rma n ce eva l ua t io n of t h e g r ie vo r o n a p r es c r i b e d fo rm ( E x h i b i t 6 ). M r. Wa tso n te st i f i ed t ha t he spo ke to t he g r ie vo r abo u t ha v i n g com p le t ed ho u rs of t h e req u i r e d 600 ho u r p roba t io na ry p e r iod, t ha t he pa rap h ra s e d som e o f h i s w r i tt e n comm e n t s a n d t ha t s h e ( t he g r i e vo r) read ove r bo t h pa g e s o f t h e e v a l u a t i o n p r i o r to s i g n i n g i t. T h e g r i e v o r t e s t i f i e d t h a t d u r i n g t h e p e r f o rm a n c e

8 - 8 eval uation th e re was no m e nti o n of a 60 0 h o u r p robatio n a ry p e riod, th at s h e was g ive n no i n d i ca t io n t hat he r job wa s i n j e opa rdy, t ha t t h e em p lo ye r d id have co n ce r n s a bo u t he r l i ft i n g a b i l i ty b u t, i n h e r v i ew, t h e e m p loy e r fo c u s e d i ts e f fo rt s o n h e l p i n g h e r to impro v e h e r l i ft i n g t e c h n i q ues. D u r i n g t h e pe rfo rm a n c e e va l u a t i o n, i t was a g r e e d t hat h e r l i f t i n g a b i l i ty wo u l d be t e s te d. A c co rd i ng to t h e g r i e v o r, d u r i n g t h e e va l u a t i o n p ro ce s s M r. Wa ts o n s ta ted wo rd s to t he e ffe c t t ha t s he was we l l pa s t t h e ha l f -way ma r k o f h e r p robat io na ry p e r i o d. O n M ay 3 0, t h e g r i evo r ' s l i ft i n g a b i l i ty wa s fo rma l l y te s te d by l a n Wa ts o n a n d Hote l D ie u D i re c to r of O cc u pa t io na l Hea l t h a nd Sa fety Ka t h e r i n e Wo l s ey. A c co rd i n g to t he g r ie vo r, s h e be l ieved t ha t s h e pa s s ed t h e t es t as was ev ide n t f rom Ms. Wo l sey' s s ta te m e nt " 1 g ue s s we know now yo u ca n do i t" a nd M r. Wa tso n ' s rema r k "T h e s coop i s yo u d id i t b u t t he re a re a few sa fety co nc e r ns - i ss ue s t ha t w e a re co n ce r n ed a bo u t a nd we wo u ld l i ke yo u to redo i h e te s t i n a mo n t h ' s t ime. " Th e g r ie vo r' s te s t i mo ny wa s to t he e ffe c t t ha t s he be l i eved t ha t s h e had su c c ess f u l ly comp le t e d t he 480 ho u r p roba t io na ry p e r iod a t some p o i n t nea r t he e nd o f May. Fo r t h i s rea so n s h e read i l y com p l ied w i t h t he e mp loye r ' s req ue s t t ha t s h e u nd e rgo a s e co nd l i ft te s t o n J un e 26, 2000 to imp rove h e r l i ft i n g t e c h n i q u e. A c co r d i ng to t he g r ie vo r, had s h e k now n t ha t s h e was s t i l l a p roba t io nary emp lo yee, s he wo u l d ha ve req u ested u n io n rep re se n ta t io n a t t he t i m e o f t he s e co nd l i ft te s t o n J u n e 2 6. T he g r ievo r w a s ve ry u p s e t w h e n s h e re c e ive d a t e l ep ho ne c a l l f ro m K i n g s to n Am b u la n c e G e n e ra l Ma na g e r M a r io V i l l e m a i re

9 - 9 la te r t ha t ev e n i n g. M r. V i l lema i re to ld h e r t ha t s h e fa i led t he s eco nd te s t a nd t ha t he r employme n t wa s te rm i nate d d u r i n g t h e p ro b a t i o na ry p e r i o d. T h e a rg u m e nts m ay b e b r ie f ly s umma r i zed. T h e u n io n co n te nd s t ha t t he emp lo ye r i s e s topp ed from re l y i ng u po n a rt i c le o f t he co l l ec t i ve ag r eeme n t b eca u s e o f a w r i tte n re p re sen tat io n by t h e e mp loye r, co n ta i n ed i n t he i nd uc t io n re co rd, t hat t h e p roba t io na ry pe r iod was 4 80 ho u rs, w h i c h t h e em p loye r fa i l ed to co rre ct - a rep re s e n ta t io n w h i c h t he g rie vo r re l i ed upo n to he r d e t r ime n t. I n t he a l te r na t ive, t he u n io n a rg ue s t ha t I have j u r i sd i ct i o n to h e a r t h e m a tte r base d o n t h e a l l e g a t i o n t h a t t h e g r i e vo r wa s d i s m i s se d fo r rea so n s w h i c h t h e u n io n con t e nd a re a rb i t rary, d i s c r im i na to ry a nd i n bad fa i t h. Re fe re n ce wa s m ade to t h e fo l l ow i n g a u t h o r i t i e s : Re Pa cific Press L td. and Vancou ve r-ne w Wes tmins te r Ne wspape r Guild, Loca l 1 15 ( ), 3 1 L.A. C. (3d) (M u n ro e ) ; Re On ta rio Public Service Emplovees Union and the Queen in Right o f On ta rio (Minis t(y of Community and Socia l Se rvices) ( ), 27 O. R. (3d) 1 35 (O n t. D i v. C t. ) ; Re Ba rrick Gold Co rp. and United S tee lworke rs o famerica, Loca l 4584 ( 1 995), 47 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 408 (R. M. B row n ) ; Re HStel Dieu de Montreal and F6d# ra tion des Infirmi# res e t Infirmi# rs du Qu6bec ( ), 1 8 L. A. C. (4t h ) 1 56 (F r um k i n ) ; Re Grey Bruce Reqiona l Hea lth Cen tre and On ta rio Public Se rvice Emplovees Un ion, Loca l 235 ( 1 993), 3 5 L. A. C. (4 t h ) 1 36 (M c La re n ) ; Re Consolida ted-ba thurs t Pa cka ging L td. (S t. Thoma s Divis ion ) and In terna tiona l Woodworke rs o fame rica, Lo ca l ( ), 1 L.A. C. (3 d ) 1 0 (Adam s ) ; Re On ta rio H vdro and On ta rio Hydro Employees ' Union, Lo ca l e t a L ( ), 4 1 O. R. (2d ) 669 (O n t. C. A. ) ; Re B ramp ton _ohj/dro Ele c tric Comm ission and Na tion a l A u tomob ile a ce a nd

10 - 1 0 Aqricultura l Implemen t Worke rs Union ofcanada (CA W-Canada ), Loca l 1285 e t a l. ( ), 1 5 O. R. (3d) 773 (O n t. D iv. C t. ) ; Re Place r Dome In c. (De tour Lake Mine ) and Un ited S tee lworke rs ofame rica, Loca l ( ), 39 L.A. C. (4t h ) 54 (S im mo n s ) ; Re Dominion Cas tin.qs L td. and United S tee lwo rke rs ofame rica, Loca l 939P ( ), 73 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 347 ( R. L. Lev i n so n ) ; a nd Dis trict o f Pa rrv Sound We lfa re Adminis tra tion Board and On ta rio Public Service Employees Union, Loca l 324, Grie vance o f Joanne O 'Brien, ( u n re po rted, Fe b r u a ry 1, ( K n o p f ) ). T h e e m p loye r a rg ues t h a t t h e re was n o re p re s e n ta t io n m ade by t h e e m p l oye r a n d no de t r i m e n ta l re l ia n c e o n t h e pa rt o f t he g r i e ve r a nd, ac co rd i ng l y, e stopp e l do e s no t ap p ly. A l te r n a t ive l y, i f t h e re wa s a re p re se n tati o n, t h a t re p re s e n ta t ion e n d e d w i t h t h e g r i evo r ' s pe r fo rm a n c e e va l uat io n o n M ay 23, w h e n t h e g r i e vo r wa s m ade aw a re o f t h e ho u r p roba t io na ry p e r iod. F u rt he r, t h e em p loye r a rg ue s t hat t h e do c t ri ne o f e s topp e l do e s no t app ly w he re th e re i s a rep res e n ta t io n mad e by t h e e mp loye r to a n i nd i v id ua l emp loyee w ho i s cove r ed by a co l l ec t iv e ag reem e nt. T h e emp lo ye r c i ted t he fo l low i ng a u t ho r i t ie s : Re Victoria Union Hospital and Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 84 ( 1 994), 39 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 339 ( Pope sc u l ) ; Re Norfolk Associa tion for Men ta lly Re ta rded and On ta rio Public Service Emp lofees Un ion, Loca l22 1 ( ), 1 0 L. A. C. (4 t h ) 252 (Ve r i ty) ; Re Menno Hospita l and British Co lumbia Nurs es ' Union ( ), 82 L. A. C. (4 t h ) 1 59 ( La rso n ) ; Re Lennox and A dding ton Communitv Hea lth Services and Service Emplo vees In terna tional Un ion, Loca l 663 ( ), 5 1 L. A. C. (4 t h ) 2 8 (S u rd y kow s k i ) ; Dis tric t of Pa rrv Sound So cia l,,se ices Adm inis tra tio n B_Qard y. Q# ado pubfic Se ice E:.n!j?toyees Un ion, L o ca l 324

11 - 1 1 ( u n repo rted, F e b r ua ry 2 1, 2000, (O n t. D i v. C t. ) ; Re Corpo ra tion of Town of Fort Frances and Canadian Union of Public Employees, Lo ca l 65 ( 1 996), 56 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 424 (So loma te n ko ) ; Centra l Pa rk Lodqe L td. and Se rvice Employees In terna tiona l Union, Lo ca l 268 (Unifo rm G rie vance ) ( u n re po rt ed, Sep te mb e r 5, 2000, ( E l l i s ) ) ; Re Durham Dis tric t School Boa rd and On ta rio Se conda ry School Tea che rs ' Fede ra tion, Dis tric t 1 3 (2000), 87 L. A. C. (4 t h ) 249 ( Da v ie ) ; Re Trimax Tran sporta tion Se rvices - - Bulk Sys tems and Transporta tion Communica tions Union ( 1 998), 74 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 444 (Bu r ke tt ) ; Re Me tropolitan Toronto Reference Library Board and Canadian Union of Public Employees, Loca l 1582 ( ) 46 L.A. C. (4 t h ) 1 55 (B u r ke tt) ; a nd Re Cambridqe Bra ss and United S teelwo rke rs of Ame rica, Loca l 4045 ( ), 82 L.A. C. (4t h ) 2 84 (B e c k ). I t u r n now to t he f i rs t i s s ue fo r de te rm i na t io n ; nam e l y, t h e e mp loym e nt s ta t u s o f t he g r ie vo r a t t he t i m e o f t he te rm i nat io n o f h e r e mp loyme n t i n J u ne o f Wa s s he a p roba t io nary em p loy ee o r a se n io r i ty - rated emp loye e? A rt i c le o f t h e co l l ec t i ve ag re e m e n t s p e c i f i e s t h e l e n g t h of t he p robat io na ry pe r iod req u i r ed fo r a pa rt- t im e e mp loyee as t he e a r l i e r o f e i t he r 600 ho u rs wo r ked o r n in e mo n t h s of e mp loyme n t. T h e pa rt i e s ag r e e t ha t w he n t he g r i evo r wa s d i sm i s s ed i n J u n e 2000 s he had wo r ked a tota l of 5 69 ho u rs, w h i c h i s 3 1 ho u rs s ho rt o f t h e req u i r ed 600 ho u rs spe c i f ied i n a rt i c le U nd e r t he t e rm s of t h e co l l ec t i ve ag r eeme n t i t may be sa id t ha t t h e g r i evo r i s a p roba t io n a ry em p loye e.

12 - 1 2 T he u n io n, howe ve r, a rg ue s t ha t t h e emp loyee i s e s to pp ed f rom re l y i ng upo n t h e s t r i c t te rm s o f t he co l l e c t ive ag reem e n t b e ca u s e t he emp loye r ' s w r i tte n re p re se n tat io n o f a 480 ho u r p roba t io na ry p e r iod d i ffe red from t he t e rm s o f i n t h e co l le c t i ve ag ree m e n t. T he u n io n co n te n d s t h a t t h i s i s a c a s e o f re p re s e n t a t io n by wo rd s a n d t h a t t h e g r i evo r re l i e d upo n t hose w r i tt e n wo rd s to he r d e t r im e n t. E s toppe l i s a r u le o f law w h i ch i s p e r ha ps b e s t d esc r i bed b y De n n i n g L. J. i n Combe v. Combe [ ] 1 A l l E. R. 767 ( C. A. ) a t p. 770 : T h e p r i n c i p l e, as I u n d e rs t a n d i t, i s t h a t w h e re o n e pa rty h as, by h i s wo rd s o r c o n d u c t, m ad e to the ot he r a p rom i s e o r assu rance wh ich was i n te n de d to efect th e l ega l re lat io ns b e twe en th em an d to be acted o n acco rd i ng ly, then, once th e oth e r pa rty h as taken h i m at h i s wo rd and acte d o n it, the one who gave the p ro m ise o r assu rance can no t a fte rwa rds be a l l owe d to reve rt to the p rev iou s l e ga l re lat ions as i f n o s uch p rom ise o r ass u ran ce had b e en made by h i m, bu t he m u st acce pt t h e i r l ega l re lat ions s u bject to th e q u a l i f icat ion wh ich he h i mse lf so in t roduced, even t houg h i t is not su ppo rted i n po i n t of law by any cons ide ra t ion, b u t on ly by h is wo rd... T h e doctri n e of e s top p e l h a s b e e n a d o p te d, i n a p p ro p r iate c as e s, i n t h e l a b o u r r e l a t i o n s f i e l d. I n Re Globe and Ma il L imited and To ron to Newspape r Guild, Loca l 8 7 ( 1 974), 6 L. A. C. (2d) 70 (H. D. B row n ) t he a rb i t ra to r fo l low ed t he c ha ra c te r i zat io n o f e s to ppe l o f P ro fe s so r J o h ns to n by stat i n g a t p. 79 i n t he G lob e a nd Ma i l ca se : T h e d oct r i n e o f e s to p p e l h a s b e e n ve ry c a re f u l l y a n d i n d e t a i l s e t o u t i n Re United Electrical, Radio and Mach ine Wo rkers, Loca l 53 7 and Canadian Gene ra l Electric Co. L td. ( ), 22 L. A. C (J oh n s ton) at pp t h e ch a i rman s tate d : i t is app a re n t t h at the re a re two a s pe c ts o f the doc t r i n e a s l h u s s t a t e d. T h e re m u s t b e a c o u r s e o f c o n d u c t i n w h i c h

13 - 1 3 b o t h p a rt i e s a c t o r b o t h co n s e n t a n d i n wh i c h t h e pa rt y w h o l a te r s e e ks to s e t u p t h e e s to p p e l i s l e ad to s u p p os e t h at the s t rict dg h ts wi l l not be e n fo rced. I t fo l lows t h at t h e pa rty aga i n s t whom the es top pe l is s e t up w i l l not be a l lowed to fo rce h is stdc t rig hts i f it wou ld be i nequ i tab le to d o s o. T h e m a i n s i t u a t i o n wh e re i t wo u l d b e i n e q u i ta b l e for strict rights to be upheld would be where the party now se tt i ng up t h e es topp e l h as re l ied to i ts det ri me n t. I n ote, howeve r, A rb i t ra to r We a t h e r i l l ' s wo rds o f ca u t i on wh e re i n h is tex t A Prac tica l Guide to Labour A rbitra tion Procedure (Ca nada Law Boo k, 2 nd Ed. A u ro ra, O n ta r io ) he s tat e s a t p p : Wh e re an a rb it rato r is as ked to f ind that a party is es topped by i ts wo rd s o r cond u ct - by so me re p rese n tat ion i n te n d ed to affe ct th e lega l re lat ions of the pa rt ies, and on wh ich th e ot h e r pa rty h as re l ie d to i ts de t r i m e n t - f rom re ly i ng on th e p rov is i o ns o f th e co l le ct ive ag ree m e n t, o r i ndeed (as some awa rds m ig h t s ugges t ), f rom ch ang ing som e p ract ice o r re n eg i ng o n some fo rm of p rom i se sepa rate f rom t h e co l l ec t ive ag re e m e n t, th e a rb i t rato r sh ou ld su re ly p roce ed with g reat ca re. I n s uch a case th e a rb it rato r is rea l ly be i ng as ke d to e n fo rce some ag ree me n t othe r than t h e co l le ct ive ag re e me n t, and to become in som e ge ne ra l way the j u dge of th e part ies' condu ct, rathe r t han the in te rp rete r o f t h e i r ne got iated ag re e m e n t. Th e re ce rta in ly a re cases wh e re a party is p rope rly to be es topped f rom re ly i ng on the te rms of a co l lect i ve ag ree men t, and it se e m s c lea r that a rb i t rato rs h ave j u risd ict ion to f ind t h at e s topp e l a r i s e s, i n p rope r ca s e s.... Th e mo re d i ff i c u l t i s s u e, w h i c h i s t he s ubj e c t o f co n f l i ct i ng j u r i sp r ude n ce, i s whe t he r t he do c t r i n e of e s topp e l a pp l ie s to a rep r e se n tat io n made by a n em p loye r to a n i nd iv id ua l emp loy e e w ho i s cov e red by t he co l l e c t iv e ag re eme n t a nd w ho d e t ri m e nta l l y r e l ie s o n t ha t r ep re s e nta t io n. T ha t was t he i s s ue b e fo r e t he O n ta r io D i v i s io na l Co u rt i n 1 995, i n Re On ta rio Pubfic Service Emp lo vees Un ion a n d The Queen in R iqh t o f On ta rio (Min is try o f Communit and Socia l Services), s up ra. I n t ha t c a s e, a pa n e l o f t h e G r i e va n c e S e t t lem e n t B oa rd d i sm i s s e d a g r i eva n c e b e c a u s e, i n t h e p a n e l ' s v i ew, t h e do c t r i ne o f e s topp e l w a s

14 - 1 4 n ot a pp l i c a b l e to a re p re s e n ta t ion m ade by a n employe r to a n i n d ivi d u a l e m p l oye e rep r e se n t ed by a u n io n, i n c i rc um s ta n ce s w h e re a n e s topp e l wo u ld o t h e rw i se have app l ied. T he O n ta r io D i v i s io na l Co u rt q ua s hed t he G SB d ec i s io n a nd re m i tted t he ma tte r bac k to t he pa n e l fo r a p rop e r de te rm i na t io n. Sp ea k i n g fo r t h e co urt, M r. J u s t i ce Adam s, as h e t he n wa s, o ffe re d t h e fo l low i ng ra t io na le a t pp : Th us, wh i le it was pe rm iss i b le fo r t he Boa rd i n th e i n stan t matte r to have a rrived at t h e d e c i s i o n i t d i d as a m a t t e r o f i n d u s t r i a l re l a t i o n s p o l i cy, i t was n o t b o u n d by t h e Me tro Toron to dec i s ion in t h is respect. I n othe r wo rds, the m a tte r was wh o l ly with i n the Boa rd ' s j u ri sd ic t ion. C la ims of es toppe l, as was dete rm ined by th e Me tro Toron to de cis ion, a rise ou t of th e adm i n is t rat ion of the co l l ect ive ag reeme n t and a re to be reso lve d on the bas is of t he factu a l an d indust ria l re lat i ons po l icy cons ide rat ions wh ich pe rta i n to s u ch c l a i m s. Fo r th is rea son, we have con c l u ded th e Boa rd dec l i ned its ju r isd ict ion by fa i l i n g to en te rta in th e G r ievo r 's a rg u me n ts as s u b m i s s io n s the Boa rd had th e d isc re t ion to acce pt, i f it thoug h t app rop ri ate to do so i n a l l o f th e c i rcu mstances. A l t e r n a t i ve ly, e v e n i f t h e Me tro Toron to d e c i s i o n c o u l d re as o n ab ly b e co n s t ru e d to h av e de te rm i ned t hat a boa rd of a rb i t rat i on l acks j u r is d ict ion to app ly t h e doct r i ne o f estop pe l to p rov e n c l a i m s o f em p l oye e d e t r i m e n t a l re l i a n ce, t h at ca s e p re c e d e d t h e S u p reme Co u rt o f Canada's dec is ion i n Union des Employees de Service, Loca l 298 v. Bibea ult, [ 1 988] 2 S. C. R at p , 35 Adm i n. L. R. 1 53, wh e re th e cou rt desc r i bed the app rop r iate app roach to j u r isd ict iona l q u est ions i n these te rms : H oweve r, by l i m i t ing the concept of the p re l i m ina ry o r co l late ra l q u es t ion a nd by i nt roduc ing the doct r i ne o f th e pate n t ly u n re ason a b le i n te rp re tat ion, t h i s C o u rt h as s i g n a l l e d t h e d eve l o pme n t o f a n ew ap p ro ac h t o d e te rm i n i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s. T he fo rma l i s t ic ana l ys is o f th e p re l i m i n a ry o r co l late ra l q ues t ion theory is g iv i ng way to a p rag mat i c and fu n ct iona l ana lys is, h i t he rto as soc iated with th e con cept of the pate n t ly u n reasonab le e r ro r. At f i rs t s ig h t i t may appea r th at th e fu n c t i o na l ana lys is app l i ed to cases of pate n t ly u n reasonab le e r ro r i s n o t s u i t a b t e fo r ca s e s i n w h i c h a n e r ro r i s a l l e g e d i n re s p e c t o f a l eg i s l at ive p rov is ion l i m i t i ng a t ri b u n a l ' s j u r i sd ict ion. Th e d i ffe re n ce betwee n these two types o f e r ro r is c le a r : on ly a pate n t ly u n reasonab le e r ro r re s u l ts i n a n e x ce s s o f j u r i s d i c t i o n wh e n t h e q u e s t i o n a t i s s u e i s w i t h i n th e t r i b u n a t ' s j u r isd ict ion, whe rea s in th e case o f a leg is l at i ve p rov is ion l i m i t i n g the t r i b u na l ' s j u risd i ct ion, a s i mp l e e r ro r wi l l resu lt i n a loss of j u r i s d i c t i o n. I t i s n e ve rt h e l e s s t r u e t h a t t h e f i rs t s te p i n t h e a n a l ys i s neces s ary i n t h e con cept of a "pa te n t ly u n re ason ab l e " e r ro r i nvo lve s d e t e rm i n i n g t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e adm i n i s t rat i v e t r i b u n a l. A t t h i s s t ag e, t h e Co u rt exa m i n e s not on ly t h e wo rd i ng o f th e e n ac tm e n t con fe r r i n g j u r i s d i c t i o n o n t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i v e t r i b u n a l, b u t t h e p u r p o s e o f t h e s t a t u t e c rea l i ng l h e t r i b u n a l, t i l e re a s o f fo r i t s ex is te n ce, th e a rea o f ex pe d i s e of i t s m e m b e rs a n d t h e n a t u re o f t h e p ro b l e m b e f o re t h e t r i b u n a l. A t t h i s

15 - 1 5 in it ial stage a p rag matic or fu n ction a l anal ys is is just as s uite d to a case i n wh i c h a n e r ro r i s a l l e g e d i n t h e i n t e rp re t a t i o n o f a p ro v i s i o n l i m i t i n g t h e a dm i n i s t ra t i ve t r i b u n a l ' s j u r i s d i c t io n : i n a ca s e w h e re a pate n t l y u n re ason ab l e e r ro r i s a l le ge d on a ques t ion w i th i n the j u risd i ct ion of th e t ri b u n a l, as i n a c as e w h e re s im p l e e r ro r i s a l l e g ed re g ard i n g a p rov i s i o n l i m i t i n g t h a t j u r i s d i c t i o n, t h e f i rs t s te p i n vo l ve s d e te rm i n i n g t h e t r i b u n a l ' s j u r i s d i c t i o n. A p rag mat ic o r fu n ct iona l app roach to the ju r isd ict ion of a boa rd of a rb i t rat ion cons t i tu ted u nde r a co l l e ct i ve a g re em e nt n e g ot i at e d u n d e r m o de rn l a bo u r l e g i s l at i o n, i n o u r v i ew, n ow b r i n g s t h i s ty p e o f g r i e va n ce we l l w i t h i n a b oa rd ' s re s po n s i b i l i ty to d e te rm i n e d i s p u t e s p e rt a i n i n g to " t h e a p p l i cat i o n a n d adm i n i s t ra t i o n " o f t h e co l l e c t i ve ag re eme n t. T he j ud g m en t o f t he O n ta r io D i v i s io na l Co u rt i n OPSEU v. On ta rio (Minis try of Communitv and Socia l Se rvices m a ke s i t c l e a r t h a t, at l eas t i n O n ta r i o, a n i n d i v i d u a l emp loye e ca n g ro u nd a n e s toppe l i n app rop ria t e c i rc u m sta nce s. O n t h e ev i de n c e b e fo re m e I am s a t i s f i e d t hat t h i s i s a p ro p e r c a s e fo r t h e app l i ca t io n o f the doc t r i ne of e stopp e l. T he p robat io na ry p e r iod of 480 hou rs se t o u t i n t he g rievo r ' s i nd u ct io n re co rd co n s t i t u te s a re p re se n ta t io n t ha t was i n te nded to be re l ied upo n. T he em p loye r ' s i n te n t io n i s c lea r o n t h e face o f t h e i nd uc t io n re co rd a nd, i n my v iew, t he g r ievo r is e n t i t l ed to re ly o n t hat ty pe o f re p re se n ta t io n. M r. Wa tso n had no pa rt to p lay i n t h e p re pa ra t i o n of t h e i n d u c t i o n re co rd w h i c h re c o rd e d t h e h o u r p roba t i o n ary p e r i o d. Had th e u n io n bee n g i ven t he 1 5 m i n u te t i me a l lo tm e n t w i t h t he g r i evo r a s a new e mp lo yee d u r i ng t h e o r i e n tat io n se s s io n, a s s p e c i f i ed i n a rt i c le 5. 07, i t i s co n c e i vab l e t ha t t he 480 ho u r p roba t io nary p e r iod may ha ve b ee n q u es t io n ed. F u rt he r, t h e em p loy e r wo u ld hav e b ee n i n a s t ro nge r po s i t io n had t he g r ie vo r had b e e n p rov i d ed w i t h a copy o f t h e co l le c t i ve a g re e m e n t. A c co rd i ng to t h e g r i e vo r ' s ev id e nce, w h i c h! a c c e p t, s h e wa s n e ve r p ro v ided w i t h a copy o f t h e co l l e c t i ve a g re e m e n t d u r i n g t he co u rs e of h e r e m p lo ym e n t.

16 - 1 6 I am sa t i s f i ed t ha t bo t h t he g r ie vo r a nd M r. Wa tso n we re ho ne s t w i t n e s s e s a l t ho ugh t he re was some co n f l i ct i n ma te r ia l p a rts o f t h e i r te s t imo n y. I f i nd t hat t he mo re p robab le a c co u n t o f w h a t t ra n s p i re d d u r i n g t h e g r i evo r ' s p e rfo rm a n c e eva l u a t i o n o n M a y 23 i s t h e g r i e vo r ' s ow n te s t i m o n y. I a cc e p t t h e g r i e vo r ' s e v id e n c e t h a t t h e re w a s n o re fe re n c e to a 600 ho u r p roba t io na ry p e r iod d u r i n g h e r p e rfo rma n c e eva l u a t io n a nd t ha t s he d id no t read pa ge o ne of t he w r i tte n eva l ua t io n. T he g r i evo r ' s w r i tte n p e rfo rma n ce app ra i sa l o n May 23, 2000 was M r. Wa tso n ' s f i rst eva l ua t io n o f a n emp loy ee ' s p e rfo rma n ce a nd i t i s read i ly appa re n t t ha t he wa s re l ucta n t to vo i ce c r i t i c i sm a nd was not a s fo rt h com i ng a s h e m i g ht have be e n. At t h e hea ri ng, M r. Wa tso n had d if i c u l ty re ca l l i n g da tes a nd o n sev e ra l o cca s io n s he ap p ea red to b e u nce rt a i n a s to t h e se q ue n ce o f ev e n ts a nd te st i f i ed as to w ha t l i ke l y o c c u r red. I do not fo r a mome n t q u est io n M r. Watso n ' s ho ne sty b u t a s b e twe e n t he g r ievo r a nd M r. Wa tso n, i n a reas of co n f l i ct, I p re fe r t he g r ie vo r ' s re co l l e ct io n of eve n ts a s t h e m o re p ro ba b l e a c co u n t o f w hat t ra n s p i re d. S i m p l y s ta te d, t h e g r i e vo r ' s te s t i m o n y wa s o bj e c t i ve, c l e a r a n d c a nd i d a n d c a r r i e d w i t h i t t h e r i n g o f t r u t h. O n t h e i s s u e of e s to p p e l I f i n d t h a t t h e re wa s a w r i t t e n re p re se n tat i o n g i v e n to t h e g r ievo r by t h e emp lo ye r a s to t he l e ng t h o f t h e p roba t io nary p e r i od (4 80 ho u rs ) a s o ppo s e d to 600 ho u rs a s p rov id ed i n t he co l l e c t i ve a g re em e n t w h i ch t h e e mp loye r fa i l ed to co rre c t, a s i t s ho u ld have do ne, p r io r to t e rm i nat i ng t he g r i evo r ' s emp lo yme n t i n la t e J u n e o f F u rt h e r I f i nd t ha t t h e g r i e vo r re l i ed u po n t h e rep re se n ta t io n s o f a 480 ho u r p roba t io n a ry p e r iod to h e r de t r i m e n t. T h e d e t r i m e nt t h e g r i e ve r s u f fe red w a s i n no t u nd e r s ta nd i n g t h a t s h e wa s a p ro ba t io n a ry e m p l oye e a n d w i l l i n g l y a g ree i n g to a se co n d

17 - 1 7 l i ft t e s t o n J u n e 26. A s t h e g r ievo r t es t i f ied, s he wo u ld have req u e s ted u n io n re p re s e n ta t io n d u r i ng t he se co nd te s t had s he k now n t ha t s he wa s st i l l a p roba t io na ry e mp loye e. I am sa t i s f i ed t h a t t he g r ievo r wa s l ed to b e l iev e t ha t s he had pa s s ed t h e f i rs t l i ft t e st o n M ay 30, g ive n t h e e n co u rag i n g wo rd s f ro m b o t h Ka t h e r i n e Wo l s e y a n d l a n Wa tso n. M r. Watso n ' s w r i tte n no tat io n o f t he g r i evo r ' s May 30 l i ft t e s t ( E x h ib i t 9 ) e s tab l i s h es t h e fa c t t ha t Hosp i ta l O c c up a t io na l H ea l t h a nd Sa fe ty D i r e c to r Kat h e r i ne Wo l s ey too k t he po s i t io n t ha t s i n ce t he g r i eve r had comp le ted t h e req u i re d tas ks i n t he l i ft te s t, t he re wa s no c ho i ce b u t to g i ve h e r a pa s s i ng g rad e. M r. Wa t so n t e st i f i ed t ha t, i n h i s op i n io n, t h e g r i e vo r fa i led t he te s t o n May 30 a nd he re comme nd ed h e r i m med iate te rm i nat io n to M r. V i l l e ma i re. I t i s not w i t ho u t s i g n i f i ca n ce t ha t M r. Wa t so n d id no t p rov ide a copy o f t he w r i t te n pe r fo rma nce e va l ua t io n to t h e g rie vo r a ft e r t h e May 23 eva lua t io n. I n add i t io n, M r. Wa tso n d id not te l l t he g r i evo r a ft e r t he May 30 l i ft i n g ab i l i ty te st t ha t s he had fa i led t he te s t o r t ha t h e was re com me nd i n g t h e te rm i na t io n o f he r emp loym e n t. I n my op i n io n, t h e g r ieve r had rea so n to be l ieve t ha t s h e had pa s sed t he p roba t io na ry p e r iod n ea r t h e e n d of May of a n d th at t h e p ropose d re test i n g i n J u n e was fo r th e so l e p u rpo s e of co rre c t i n g pe rc e ived d e f i c i e nc i e s w h i c h t h e e m p lo ye r be l ie ved po s ed a safe ty r i s k to t he g r i evo r. I f i n d t ha t t he g r ievo r wa s m i s l ed b y t he em p loye r, howev e r i n n o c e nt l y, i n to b e l ie v i ng t ha t t h e p roba t io na ry pe r iod wa s 480 ho u rs wo r k e d a nd t hat s he wa s e nt i t l ed to re ly o n t ha t fo rm of w r i tt e n r e p re s e n ta t io n co n ta i n ed i n t he i n d u c t io n re co rd, w h i ch s h e s ig n ed. I n t h e s e p a rt i c u l a r c i rc um s ta n c e s, o n t h e f i r s t da y o f h e r e m p lo yme n t, f a i r ne ss req u i r e s t ha t

18 - 1 8 eq u i tab l e e stopp e l i s app l i ca b l e to p r eve n t t h e e mp loye r from e n fo rc i ng i ts st r i c t co n t ra c t ua l r i g h t s u n d e r a rt i c le I n t he re s u l t, t he p re l im i na ry obj e c t io n i s d i s m i s s ed o n t h e g ro u nd s t ha t t h e e m p loy e r i s e s top p ed f rom re l y i ng upo n t h e s t ri ct te rm s of a rt i c le o f t he co l le ct i ve a g re e m e n t. Ac c o rd i ng ly, I f i n d t h at t h e g r i e vo r wa s a t t h e t i m e o f h e r d i s m i s s a l a s e n io r i ty - ra ted em p loye e. I n t he ev e nt t hat t h i s matte r i s to p ro c eed to a hea r i n g o n t h e me r i ts, t h e d i sm i s sa l w i l l b e h ea rd o n t h e s ta n d a rd o f j u s t c a u s e. F o r t h e se re a s o n s i t i s u n n e c e s s a ry to con s id e r t h e u n io n ' s a l te r na te a rg u m e nt. DATE D a t B ra n tfo rd, O n ta r io, t h i s 1 5 t h da y of M ay, 200 1, S O L E A R B IT RATO R